Dog Community

infections always after being groomed

Posted : 4/24/2007 5:50:52 PM

I have an almost 3 year old cocker spaniel. I take him about every 6-7 weeks to get groomed at PetSmart. I like my groomer, she does a nice job, although this time she was a little rough with Jake. I wait for him, I pay an extra $10 for express grooming. He is done straight through, it takes about an hour.

It never fails that after each and every groom, he either gets a paw infection or an ear infection/inflammation. I am in the store, and occasionally check on him while he's being groomed, but I can't see him getting bathed. I don't know if it's the grooming tools she uses that are not properly disinfected or are not disinfected at all. I don't know if she gets water in his ears, but his ears are never fully dry when he's finished.

The shampoo I use is Groomax Professional Organic Oatmeal (fragrance & dye-free). She also uses Groomax Professional Rapid Repar (also fragrance & dye-free).

It's getting ridiculous because I pay $30 for the groom, an extra $10 for the express service and give a $5 tip. Then I spend more money the week after he's groomed at the vet. Today the vet cost me $126, exam, cytology and medication. He has a bacterial infection that the vet said was mostly likely due to grooming. I just noticed the dry blood and very red skin between the paw pad. I don't mind taking him to the vet and spending money when something is wrong, but I shouldn't have to every time he gets groomed.

I was thinking of trying another groomer, but I want to be with him or wait for him and have him done straight through. I don't want him in a cage and I don't want him caged dried. My sister had a professional groomer groom her maltese and she did a faboulous job. She came to the house. The next day, Riley either had kennel cough or got so stressed out and had trachea problems, which resolved after 14 days of antibiotics. How do I find a good groomer? I live in Massachusetts. Anyone know anyone in this area?

calliecritturs

Posted : 4/24/2007 7:51:04 PM

I'll be honest -- I pay a bit more than that but I had a cocker lose his ears BECAUSE the fool groomer I used used to literally squirt soap IN his ears and then squirt the spray nozzle directly in his ears "to clean them".

ONE infection after grooming is too much. Every month? With a cocker you have to be sooooo careful because ear infections can be so devastating. Don't be penny-wise and pound foolish -- the wrong groomer is far far far too expensive in terms of health - particularly with those cocker ears. Find a better groomer. I drop Billy off at 1 and pick him up at 5. I just plan my day around it. He goes every 6 weeks. It works. (but I've been thru a ton of BAD groomers)

jennie_c_d

Posted : 4/24/2007 8:22:29 PM

I agree with Callie. Something is wrong, if he's getting infections every time. Once, I'd say it was a bad day, or stress related. Every time? It's something your groomer is doing.

calliecritturs

Posted : 4/24/2007 10:17:31 PM

Thanks for being the rational one Jennie -- I am still furious years later that it was a groomer who ultimately cost Muffin his ears. *I* didn't know -- I truly didn't know back then that they could have a bacterial infection that 'lurked' and the day I walked in unannounced and SAW her do that to another dog's ears I almost throttled her on sight. Talk about blowing bacteria deep into the ear with no way for it to get out?? GRRRRR

samshine

Posted : 4/25/2007 1:14:20 PM

You could try asking them not to get any water in the ears. The area won't get clean, but you could clean them later with a no-rinse shampoo like Self Rinse Plus. The kind where you just wet a rag, rub the area, and dry with a clean rag.

As far as the feet, I bet they aren't getting them 100% dry. Try drying them more when you get home with a hair dryer set on low heat and get between each toe.

jennie_c_d

Posted : 4/25/2007 2:06:47 PM

Callie, I just quit a job over something similar. We have dogs with chronic ear infections. The ears smelled, so I was told to wash them. Inside and out. That was the last thing, on top of a number of issues, that I needed to hear, to give my notice.

I would never put water into my dogs' ears, but some groomers think it's ok, or even GOOD. I do flush ears with ear cleaner, though, and that will take care of smellies.

My guess with the toes is that she's cutting him with her #40. It's easy, easy to do, especially if the dog is jumpy at all. All it would take would be a tiny scratch that didn't even bleed, if he's susceptible to infections.

sallya

Posted : 4/25/2007 8:50:03 PM

Dogs with hanging ears especially, need to use a nice, gentle cleanser/dryer in the ears. I use Epi Otic from my vet. Ask the vet for one. Keep those ears clean and dry.

Boy, that sounds awful. So many infections! I groom Trudy at home. Trudy's paws were hurt and from then on, I did it all at home.

I would not put up with that. Our sweet dogs depend on us to keep them safe.